328GTS vs. 993 C2S

Insurance about 900 to 1200 depending on location,age,and value of car..

I dont know too many 911s that age that are worth 75,000...

The 328 is a glorious machine not as mechanicly watch like, like the 911 but also doesnt bite as much in the corners. Not as stiff as the 911 but the noises coming out of the 328 make up for almost every fault she has.. One of the nice touches I like is similar to the 911 you can see the beautiful wheel arches..

Maintence is about the same.. Now for the acception of a 30k service.. That will be about 3500 to 5000 because of the unique nature of a Ferrari Owner being a bit more detailed than the average joe and wanting to have all the little while your at its done. The nice thing about the porsche is you could have something small break and it keeps on running. I have drivin my Porsche with bad gear bushing, bad timing, bad distrubuter caps etc the list is long...

The F car doest seem to like anything wrong she is sort of a perfectionist.. JJ

 

A 993 C2S is a much better car. I've had a 993 (and a 996) and I currently have a 997C2S Cab, I also have a 328GTS (1989).
The 993 C2S is a daily driver the 328 is not. When I say daily I mean the 993 is good for 10,000 per year. Some or most 993's are going for more then 996's because it was the last of the air cooled Porsches. They sound great, look great (most people will think its new) and performance is on par with some cars today. Go with the 993 Cab instead of the C2S. They didn't have an "S" for the Cab, but you'll get more enjoyment out of the Cab. Yes, the C2S may look better, but nothing is better then a cab. The only negative about the 993 is the interior. Get past that. Change the exhaust, some suspension work, new stereo system and you got a car that won't cost much to maintain and will have years of fun. And will hold its value.
The 328 is a great car. Would out going on and on, it will not do what the 993 will do. Two different cars for two different applications period.

 

You will need to drive both to get a feel of both cars. I have owned several 911's and it is true they are easier to live with in terms of maintenance and leaving them unattended.

You will need to put about $5000/yr aside for maintenance for the 328. I have an 89 GTS with 23K miles and have had no issues since 5/2004. I had a friend of mine do the timing belt for piece of mind when I bought the car. The tune up was done by the dealer prior to being shipped to me.

My opinion is to fulfill your dream of acquiring the 328. Porsches are plentiful out there. I got rid of all my Porsches simply because there were too many of them running around here.

Last but not least always have PIP done on the 328 if you decide to acquire one.

 

Thats funny but true. Every noise will keep the Ferrari off the road because you will be afraid of getting stuck or worried about how much that will cost. Not with the Porsche. Sound wise, the Ferrari is hands down better. In reverse, I wouldn't get rid of my 328 for a 993. If I would get an older Porsche it would only be the 1988 930 Turbo Cab. For 50-60 grand its a bargain. But the 328 (or the 930) are not my daily drivers.

 

Mine has 21,000 miles and is maintained very well. Yet I'm always spending a few thousand here, and there, every year on it. I remember your car when it was for sale back in 04. Thats a keeper. Love that car.

 

The 993 is a better car in every way possible, except maybe getting 15 year old boys drooling over it.

 

I weighed the 328 vs. 911 decision before buying my 24k mile 88.5 328 GTS. The 911 is 'nice' and technically a better car, but it doesn't have 1/10th the magic the Ferrari has.

I've driven cars that grind the 328 to dust if you only go by the numbers. But I've never driven a car that is as much fun on the street or that makes me want to just sit in my garage and look at it as the 328.

Also, my insurance is only $400/year and I can't see how you could possibly need to save/spend $5000/year on maintenance unless you drive it 15k miles every year or crash it. A full major service including replacing the water pump is $6000, tops. A new clutch is under $2000. The 911 is not inexpensive to maintain, either.

 

The Porsche will cost less to maintain, is more reliable, and can be driven every day. You can use the Porsche a lot more. Ferraris are special and owning one is an experience you will tell your grand kids about. You will also never see another 328 on the road unlike 993s that are more common.

For the record, I dont think you need $5k a year to maintain a 328.

 

Why don't you go test drive them both and buy the one you like? They are very very different in appearance, sound and feel, once you drive them you shouldn't have any problem deciding which you perfer.

 

You don't need $5k yearly to MAINTAIN a 328. However, in my 4 years of ownership, I spent an average of $5k/year not necessarily maintenance related. This includes TUBI, NEW parts (tires, 12v battery...little things, etc), and a recent major/clutch/aircon/handbrake service. Major works were done in a Ferrari dealer or a ferrari-certified service center (like Bentley-Maserati St. Louis).

If you can service it yourself, obviously, you'll save significantly. However, owning a Ferrari will never be cheap. Make sure you have a "ferrari fund" (between $5-10K ready). You may not need it soon, but for sure the "rainy days" will come. I guess this holds true for any exotic.


Ron

 

Uh, No it's not. A little faster from a standing start and less maintenance requirements, I'll grant you.
But, I prefer the interior of the Ferrari and with a proper set of tires, the handling is as good, if not better. Exterior appearance-Ferrari. Sound-Ferrari. Every drive is a special occasion? Ferrari again. Something you can beat on every day and not care-Porsche.

 

A little faster from a standing start? lol

Have you driven both cars at speed? The handling of a C2S is years ahead of the 328.

The 328 is a beautiful car, Ill give you that, but to be compared to the best aircooled Porsche, I don't think so.

 

My two cents worth is as follows ...

I cannot comment on the dynamics of the Ferrari vs. the Porsche, although I am perfectly happy to concede that the Porsche will be a less "highly strung" vehicle than the Ferrari.

However, I recently purchased a 308 and can tell you for a fact that although I thought briefly about Porsche's, I didn't seriously consider one for the simple fact that they are too common. I see 911's all over the place ... many of them, on a daily basis. Where I live, I can drive for a month (if not more) and never see a Ferrari.

For me therefore, the Ferrari truly is special, whereas the Porsche is undoubtedly the more practical choice. Every time I look at my 308 it puts a big grin on my face -- frankly, I find it hard to believe that a 30 year-old design can be so drop dead gorgeous. Then you hear that V8 breathing through 4 Webers and ...

Keep us posted. It'll be nice to know what you decide upon.

 

I've owned my 328 for a little over 5 years, and it's cost me about $1/mile in maintenance. That doesn't include tires, insurance (it's the cheapest of my 3 cars to insure, but my policy has mileage limits) or gas. If you buy, be prepared.

 

I've owned both, as you presumably have based on your post, and I'd agree with some of the earlier posts that you're either buying a hand-assembled, rare and iconic Ferrari or a very refined and durable Porsche.

I guess if I had to compare:

Engine: Ferrari has 10bhp or so less, but the marvelous sounds and two extra cylinders make up for it. Also remember the 328 is 10 years older. The fact that we're comparing a circa 1986 car to a circa 1996 car says something. The Ferrari engine has the edge here - very special powerplant.

Gearbox: Porsche is easier to shift fast; Ferrari has the classic slow-me-down gate, but the torque lets you leave it in 3rd and 4th a lot. To me, the Ferrari gearbox is more enjoyable, but for track use the 993 has the edge.

Styling: Ferrari - I can't park the 328 without someone asking about it. Never had a comment on the Porsche. The longer I own the 328, the more I think the 308/328 series is the best-looking sports car of the modern era.

Interior: Ferrari - granted I'm only 5'7", but the 328 cockpit has a nice "tucked-in" feeling and lots of Italian-designed eye candy - every time you stop at a light there's some new detail to appreciate. The steering wheel is art. Ergonomics are mediocre. The Porsche has the best interior of the 911 series, but the slab design, useless rear seats and plainness of it put it behind the Ferrari of 10 years before. I'll give the nod to the Ferrari.

Utility: Porsche carries more gear, and you could seat a young child in the back. The 328 really suffers as an errand-runner due to lack of storage. OTOH, in the 993 I had to lift stuff over those pristine painted fenders everytime - not a good idea. The Porsche wins here, however.

Reliability: Porsches seem not to develop the random annoying problems that pop up in old Ferraris, and parts are available more readily. The 993 certainly has a build quality that wasn't in the 996 and may be better than the earlier 911s as well. The 328 improved on the 308, and seems better screwed together than the 348/355, but stuff still breaks. Edge to Porsche on this one.

Agree. There really isn't much in common between the cars. It's pure lust versus logic.

The Porsche is 10 years newer. The handling of a C2S should be better than a 328.

 

I like culo360's parting remark -- it's pure lust versus logic.

I was changing fuel lines at the weekend and chose to do so in a very well ventilated area outside my home (for obvious reasons!). An elderly lady was taking a stroll with her husband and stopped to ask me questions about the car (she wasn't smoking thankfully!). As she left, her parting remark was "that's a beautiful car, and I don't even like cars." This made me chuckle inside.

 

The plus side for the 993, looks, reliabilty and a lot of repair shops can work on them. Especial the C2s which has the turbo looks and brakes.Dailey driver, I have had 3 over the years. I have worked in repair shops. Make sure the OBDII is connected. Some people bypassed it so the check engine light will not come on. The oil cooled timing chain and alternator fan sounds are Magical and I do miss that. If you buy the 993, remove the bottom engine tray, it will reduce engine temps and extend exhaust valve wear.
Negative, lots of them, ALL 993 will have premature valve wear. The intake valves will coke up, due to unburned fuel being injected into the intake ports.
If caught at 60K you can force clean the intake ports. If you wait until the check engine light comes on, then you will need a top end overhaul
All 911 cars smoke on start up, some more than others. Make sure you start the car when cold. Poor heater, still uses forced air over the exhaust manifold.
Very prone to oil leals, when the oil leakes, it falls on the exhaust manifolds and smokes, which seeps into the cabin. I have been in the Porsche club for over 10 years. The 986 and 996 cars have RMS failure. Intake manifolds are plastic.

The plus side for the 328 it is a Ferrari, NO ONE questions the race heritage.
You don't see one on every corner. That is one of the reasons I sold my 911SC, I wanted a Ferrari............
Cons parts are higher and there are fewer places to have them worked on.
I am much happier with my Ferrari than I was with my 911SC.
Consider a 1988/89 944 turbo(951) it puts out 300HP with chips, has a real heater and A/C. Faster and handles better than a 911.
Charles

 

I've had 2 328's, most recently an 89 GTB which I have now owned 5 years/14,500 miles. I estimate I have spent about 6K on maintenance,repairs and tires. (1 major service, another complete fluid change and regular oil changes, rebuild tach and one oil leak). I have also spent money on another set of wheels and tires and paint touchup & full detail. This was a very low mileage car when I bought it (7300 miles) and has been just a great car. It is driven regularly, though not hard on streets, but has been tracked a few times as well. Obviously somewhere down the road I'll need a clutch which is about 1500. installed and new brake pads (cheap) and perhaps some suspension work. 328's are really solid. I know a number of owners and issues are pretty uncommon.

As far as performance goes, a 993 will outperform the 328 in every way by a large, measurable amount. No surprise, the 328's chassis design dates to the late 60's and all motors built in the 1980's were weak due to emission requirements and no one figured out how to make them clean and powerful. However, the driving experience is still unique and great fun. The car has great balance, great grace, and great feedback in the way it drives, though body roll lets it down ultimately. Even though I now have a 430 as well, I still really enjoy the 328, its looks, its sound, its manners, even its smell. Ferraris are a total sensory experience and that is what separates them from other marques in my point of view.

Dave